Hinsdale Central grad wins White House internship

Father of Vinay Nayak accused of offering to raise millions for Rod Blagojevich campaign

July 11, 2013|By Katherine Skiba, Chicago Tribune reporter

Vinay Nayak, winner of a Chicago Tribune All-State Academic scholarship in 2010, has been chosen to be one of 147 White House summer interns. (David Pierini, Chicago Tribune)

WASHINGTON — — The son of a suburban Chicago man who figured prominently in the investigation of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has won a highly competitive White House internship.

Vinay Nayak, who is from Oak Brook and attends Yale University, is among 147 summer interns, according to a list released by the White House on Tuesday.

His father is Raghuveer Nayak, who was a fundraiser for the now-imprisoned Blagojevich.

Federal authorities, in making their case against Blagojevich, alleged it was the elder Nayak who offered to raise up to $6 million in campaign cash for the then-governor in exchange for appointing then-Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to the Senate seat that opened in 2008 when Barack Obama won the White House.

Jackson denied knowledge of the offer and, while under federal investigation last year, resigned from Congress. He is awaiting sentencing in federal court in Washington after pleading guilty to misusing about $750,000 in campaign funds.

Raghuveer Nayak is awaiting trial in federal court in Chicago after being accused of bribing doctors to use his surgical treatment centers. He was indicted in June 2012.

Vinay Nayak's website touts his work on Obama's presidential campaigns and his own unsuccessful bid for alderman in New Haven, Conn., in 2011.

Nayak did not return calls Wednesday. A White House official turned aside questions about him and declined to make him available for an interview.

The internship program "allows participants to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. All participants go through a competitive application process," according to a White House statement.

Interns work in one of several parts of the White House, including the Office of the Vice President, the Office of the First Lady and the National Economic Council.

The positions are unpaid, but applicants may contact educational groups and other nonprofits for funding or housing assistance. The White House counsel's office must preapprove outside funding.

Nayak is a graduate of Hinsdale Central High School. In 2010, he won a Chicago Tribune All-State Academic scholarship, as chosen by an independent panel.

His LinkedIn profile said he worked in the Chicago area for the president's re-election campaign in 2012. The Yale student was digital constituency manager for the campaign from May until November, the profile said.

In that role, he managed "national digital programs for Young Americans for Obama, Seniors for Obama, People of Faith for Obama, Catholics for Obama, Environmentalists for Obama, and People with Disabilities for Obama," the profile said.